House tightens security after solons get 'bomb threats'

Security perform simulation exercises at the House of Representatives north gate entrance in Batasan, Quezon City on July 20, 2023 a few days before the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Joan Bondoc, PNA photos/File.

MANILA — The House of Representatives on Monday heightened its security precautions after some lawmakers received bomb threats last January, Secretary General Reginald Velasco told media.

Velasco did not say if the threats were related to the ongoing attempts to revise the 1987 Constitution.

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"But as I've said we take all these threats seriously kaya we have taken special precautions ngayon. Parang [State of the Nation Address] ito. SONA preps," Velasco explained.

Velasco said the threats were received over mobile phones.

He declined to name the House members who got the specific threats, except to say that Speaker Martin Romualdez was not among them.

"I cannot reveal the members of Congress who have received this threat. Eto lang January. Di ko masasabi, more than one," Velasco said.

NO PARKING FOR MOTORCYCLES

Velasco said part of the security measures is banning motorcycles from parking in front of the buildings of the Batasan Pambansa complex.

"We have witnessed some motorcycles going around. Ni-report sa akin ng security, there were some motorcycles going around the premises," he said.

House security will also conduct round-the-clock roving patrols.

Aside from physical threats to the House, Velasco said the House is also under cybersecurity threats.

"Of course, (there are) the cyberattacks that we have been experiencing since the start of the year. According to our IT staff, there are millions of attempts to hack our IT system." Velasco said.

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